“I see it it’s like he went from winning youth world championship, which I won as well, and in like 10, 14 fights he becoming like a superstar,” said Hrgovic during today’s press conference. “I feel like he’s got all on the table. He didn’t sacrifice a lot for where he is now.
“I think my path was much harder, much, much harder. I worked so hard to get into this position, and I feel like everything he achieved was given.”
Hrgovic repeatedly returned to that theme throughout the press conference, pointing to the support system surrounding Itauma and the promotional backing that has helped accelerate his rise.
The Croatian contender spent years building his reputation in the amateur ranks, winning an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Games and facing many of the world’s top amateurs before turning professional. Itauma took a different route, bypassing the Olympics and entering the paid ranks as a teenager.
Itauma enters the fight with a 14-0 record and 12 knockouts. His most recent victory came against Jermaine Franklin in May.
Franklin had previously gone the distance against Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte before being stopped in five rounds by Itauma.
Hrgovic believes there are still unanswered questions about Itauma’s ability to handle adversity against elite opposition.
“We never see him in trouble. We never see him get punched, get dropped,” said Hrgovic. “To be a great fighter, you must have heart, chin, endurance, and we didn’t see that yet.
“Maybe he’s a real deal, maybe he’s not. We’ll see. I definitely think I will test that. I will test is he a real deal or not.”
Itauma dismissed the suggestion that his success had been handed to him.
“He’s what is it 14 years older than me, and we’re still in the same position,” said Itauma.
August 29 will determine whether Itauma is ready for the next level or whether Hrgovic can reinsert himself into the heavyweight title conversation.
